‘Le Diner en Blanc’ — Knoxville style

A traditional "napkin wave" started the White Picnic at Knoxville Botanical Garden last Saturday.

A traditional “napkin wave” started the White Picnic at Knoxville Botanical Garden last Saturday.

In Paris, the traditional Le Diner en Blanc, also known as the White Picnic, attracts upwards of 10,000 folks. In Knoxville, I thought the 150 or so who gathered at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum last Saturday for our version of it was a pretty impressive turnout.

Here’s how it works. The organizers — Debbie Allen and Mary Collins-Shepard — send a “save the date” email a few weeks out. But the folks on the email list don’t know the secret location of the event until the afternoon of the day it’s going to happen. That’s when they get another email telling them where to come.

In Paris, where this all started, it’s so as not to alert the authorities — and to preserve the clandestine nature of the soiree. That’s part of the strategy here, too. When the picnic is held on public property — like last year’s, which was at Volunteer Landing — the laws prohibiting alcohol can be problematic. That’s why attendees are urged not to bring beverages in their original containers, but, instead, to pour them into something else.

Kandyce Harber lights a candle for romantic ambience at the White Picnic.

Kandyce Harber lights a candle for romantic ambience at the White Picnic.

A long list of other rules also apply. Participants must dress in white, have white table linens, real white plates and real cutlery — no plastic. And, something tricky, you must be able to carry all your picnic items — including your table and chairs — from your car to the picnic location in one single trip. This calls for creative packing, for sure.

Several folks meeting up with friends had small tailgate parties in the parking lot while waiting for the official group march to the picnic location. And the organizers generously doled out complimentary mojitos and white cosmopolitans while everyone gathered.

Anyway, it’s a ton of fun. Having it at the Knoxville Botanical Garden eliminated the concern about public alcohol consumption. I hope it’s held at an equally tolerant location next year, as well. I don’t think getting arrested would be that much fun.

Here are my cohorts gathered in the parking lot before the group march to the picnic. From left, my husband, Alan Carmichael, Richard and Dawn Ford.

Here are my cohorts gathered in the parking lot before the group march to the picnic. From left, my husband, Alan Carmichael, and Richard and Dawn Ford.

Mary Collins-Shepherd, one of the organizers.

Mary Collins-Shepard, one of the organizers.

From left, Sharon Deaver, Johnna Easter and Megan Venable. We ran into them in the parking lot and plotted to put our tables next to each other.

From left, Sharon Deaver, Johnna Easter and Megan Venable. We ran into them in the parking lot and plotted to put our tables next to each other.

The picnic was on a huge terraced area of the Botanical Garden. Here's the beginning of the unloading process.

The picnic was on a huge terraced area of the Botanical Garden. Here’s the beginning of the unloading process.

More unpacking.

More unpacking.

It was great seeing our friend Michael Moore.

It was great seeing our friend Michael Moore.

That's our buddy Vicki Baumgartner in the white hat. She was instrumental in securing the Botanical Garden as a location. Love the fans at her table that say, "French Broads!"

That’s our buddy Vicki Williams-Baumgartner in the white hat. She was instrumental in securing the Botanical Garden as a location. Love the fans at her table that say, “French Broads!”

Organizer Debbie Allen welcomed everyone.

Organizer Debbie Allen welcomed everyone.

Time to dig in!

Time to dig in!

The simplest food tastes great in a setting like this!

The simplest food tastes great in a setting like this!

We loved Johnna's tiny little grapes.

We loved Johnna’s tiny little grapes.

Megan brought some fans left over from her wedding day! They came in handy.

Megan brought some fans left over from her wedding day! They came in handy.

Their table also had this delicacy on display.

Their table also had this delicacy on display.

Since this was our first time at this event, we decided to keep the food simple. I made this tuna salad that I first had at a restaurant in Paris called Le Dauphine. I like it for picnics because is features olive oil rather than mayo.

Since this was our first time at this event, we decided to keep the food simple. I made this tuna salad that I first had at a restaurant in Paris called Le Dauphine. I like it for picnics because it features olive oil rather than mayo. We just heaped it onto slices of baguette.

Another course at our table.

Another course at our table.

And cheese, naturally.

And cheese, naturally.

Richard enjoying the repast.

Richard enjoying the repast.

Music was by Chuck French, right, and his son, C.J. French. They call themselves "The French Connection." Ha.

Music was by Chuck French, right, and his son, C.J. French. They call themselves “The French Connection.” Ha. (Photo by Megan Venable)

Here we are. (Photo by Johnna Easter)

Here we are. (Photo by Johnna Easter)

And who doesn't love sparklers?

And who doesn’t love sparklers?

And more sparklers?

And more sparklers?

And more sparklers?

And still more sparklers?

Thanks so much to the organizers. We already area making plans for next year.

Thanks so much to the organizers. We already are making plans for next year.

 

Filed under: Events, Food, Historic preservation, Knoxville. Bookmark the permalink.

29 Responses to ‘Le Diner en Blanc’ — Knoxville style

  1. Maria Cornelius, on August 17th, 2016 at 2:13 pm said:

    Sparklers make everything awesome. (And Cynthia is on the Blue Streak! Is that art imitating life imitating art?)

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on August 17th, 2016 at 2:15 pm said:

    Maria: As you know, I’m not crazy about having my picture made, but this was such a fun evening that I made an exception. Agree about the sparklers!

  3. Helen Hewitt, on August 17th, 2016 at 2:53 pm said:

    Bravo! Beautiful!

  4. Gretchen (Beal) McKee, on August 17th, 2016 at 3:20 pm said:

    Cynthia, do you share your tuna salad recipe? It looks delicious!

  5. Dawn Ford, on August 17th, 2016 at 3:28 pm said:

    Maria we insisted she use that photo as she looks great. Maybe next year a girl’s outing.

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on August 17th, 2016 at 3:36 pm said:

    Thank you, Dawn. You are very kind. I do think a girls’ outing would be great fun.

    Gretchen: Sure. Happy to share the tuna recipe. Here it is.

    Tuna Le Dauphine

    Dump these things together:

    (Drain them, but reserve the liquid.)

    4 (5-oz.) cans imported tuna in olive oil (I used Cento)
    3 small jars (6 oz.) quartered marinated artichoke hearts. Cut each quarter in half.
    Half of a 16-oz. jar of deli-sliced roasted red peppers. (Mine were in water, but I have used those in oil and they are fine.)
    Half cup calamata olives (halved)
    Small container of grape tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on size
    About 4 tablespoons capers
    Heaping tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

    Squeeze in the juice of two lemons

    Now, the part where you have to use your judgment.
    Pour a good glug of olive oil over everything. Add some salt and good grinding of pepper and gently toss. Taste.
    Now, you will start to add things. I added several tablespoons of the reserved artichoke marinade. It’s nice and garlicky and has other spices. I also added a lesser amount of the roasted red pepper marinade (water or oil, either one you are using). You might want to add more olive oil or lemon juice. I added more thyme. See if you want to add more olives or capers.

    When you get it where you want it, serve in a pretty bowl. Garnish with some fresh chives. Serve with sliced baguette.

  7. Monique Anderson, on August 17th, 2016 at 3:51 pm said:

    Looks like a lot of fun. Cynthia, Such a good picture!!!

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on August 17th, 2016 at 3:58 pm said:

    Thanks, Monique. Want to go next year?

  9. Deborah Sams, on August 17th, 2016 at 4:57 pm said:

    Wherever did you find the figs? Love them!

  10. Savanna Howie, on August 17th, 2016 at 5:34 pm said:

    Looks like an absolutely fabulous evening! I echo Maria about the sparklers! Bravo!

  11. cmmoxley, on August 17th, 2016 at 6:52 pm said:

    Deborah: My friend Dawn brought the figs. Not sure where she got them. Will ask her. My guess: Trader Joe’s.

    Savanna: How sweet of you to post! Thanks so much. It was fun.

  12. Georgiana Vines, on August 17th, 2016 at 7:50 pm said:

    Fran Scheidt is on the list and we planned to come. But I just can’t stand the heat these days. We didn’t make it. (Went to Bonefish Grill for martinis and seafood.)!So glad to know where the location was and hope it’s a little cooler next year!

  13. Jackie Wilson, on August 17th, 2016 at 9:26 pm said:

    I want to go next year!

  14. Cynthia Moxley, on August 17th, 2016 at 9:29 pm said:

    Jackie: You should join us! Dawn and I are putting together a girls’ group.

  15. Debbie Jones, on August 17th, 2016 at 9:33 pm said:

    Me too!

  16. Cynthia Moxley, on August 17th, 2016 at 9:35 pm said:

    Debbie Jones: OK! Yay!

  17. Carolyn leahy, on August 18th, 2016 at 9:40 am said:

    Sounds like a wonderfully fun evening. Doug and I would like to join you guys as well. I am going to try the tuna recipe. Sounds delicious.

  18. Marsha Grieve, on August 18th, 2016 at 11:00 am said:

    OK — now you have started something. Everyone wants to go! So glad you included the tuna salad recipe – I love all the foods you listed and I’m always looking for something new. If there’s a girls only event or couples, one or both of us would love to be a part of it!

  19. Marsha Grieve, on August 18th, 2016 at 11:02 am said:

    I must have written too many words because the Comment section ominously says, “awaiting moderation!”

  20. Cynthia Moxley, on August 18th, 2016 at 11:06 am said:

    Well, Marsha, here’s how I look at it. Everybody can come! If Paris can accommodate more than 10,000, we can make room for several hundred more!

    About the “awaiting moderation” message: I have the blog set so that I have to approve every comment before it gets posted. That way robots or just hateful trolls can’t use my blog to get their evil messages out. Make sense?

  21. Gay Lyons, on August 18th, 2016 at 2:55 pm said:

    My group passed on it this year, but I’m happy that the event was held–and hopefully will continue to be held–in a less “arresting” locale. Nothing like almost getting arrested to put a damper on an evening. I’m a big fan of your Tuna Dauphin & agree it’s a great choice for the occasion. Hoping we can re-join the festivities next year! It’s the only time I wear the only white dress I own.

  22. Cynthia Moxley, on August 19th, 2016 at 9:47 am said:

    Gay: Let’s put our groups close together next year!

  23. Gay Lyons, on August 19th, 2016 at 10:25 am said:

    Let’s do it! It’s pretty easy. You just have to line up & walk in together. They won’t announce the date until next summer, but it’s generally around the same time every year, so you can sort of plan on 2nd or 3rd Saturday in August.

  24. Cynthia Moxley, on August 19th, 2016 at 10:52 pm said:

    I ran into one of the organizers tonight (told her how much we appreciate her) and she said they may move it to June when heat is less of an issue. Here’s hoping they do. (But I will come whenever it is!)

  25. Gina Williams, on August 25th, 2016 at 3:30 pm said:

    That looks SO fun! I want to go next year!!!! What a great idea!

  26. Cynthia Moxley, on August 25th, 2016 at 3:32 pm said:

    Gina: I will forward the email to you when I get it next year!

  27. Madeline Greer, on September 5th, 2016 at 5:27 pm said:

    We’d love to come next year! May we be included on email list? Thank you! What fun!

  28. Cynthia Moxley, on September 5th, 2016 at 6:56 pm said:

    Madeline: When I get email next year, I will forward to everyone who commented on this blog that they were interested. Thanks for reading!

  29. sidney neate, on March 13th, 2017 at 4:08 pm said:

    Cynthia, I am new to Knoxville, and was turned onto your blog by my new friend Lauren Miller! Absolutely loving it, thank you for sharing!! I would love to be included in this event next year–looks like a ball!!

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